Getting started

Think global, act local

Human displacement is a problem without a passport. The causes are too big and complex for any one nation to address alone, and the consequences are too interconnected for any nation to consider themselves immune.

We can all do something to strengthen the organisations advancing a global response. Our local action helps shape the political climate of what is politically possible.

Human displacement is a symptom of war, persecution, and conflict. It is a failure of the nation state to secure people’s human rights; a political problem.

The United Nations (UN) leads international political, development, humanitarian responses by creating the space for nations to come together, invest in goals, and coordinate action plans. Its members are nation states.

The Global Compact for Refugees endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 2018 recognises that a sustainable solution to refugee situations cannot be achieved without international cooperation.

The Global Compact for Migration also endorsed in 2018 is a complementary international cooperation framework to address the common challenges and vulnerabilities shared by migrants and refugees.

Get involved locally

Explore at your ‘why’ and where you are at now:

what you can invest right now,

what are you are hoping to gain,

what type of contribution you want to make, and why?

Look nationally to find out:

what your nation has agreed to do,

what they officially say they do, and

what they actually do.

Listen locally to find out:

who are the displaced people closest to you,

who is already responding to displaced people, and

what do they need?

Decide where to start:

contribute as a citizen to learn,

contribute as a professional where there’s alignment, and

consider how to leverage your contribution.

Get connected locally

Find local colleagues that stimulate and nourish you. How? You are the expert of your local context. Some ideas are:

the WFOT has also published advice for students considering international practice placements, but remember you don’t need to leave the country to seek out experiences and experienced colleagues with intercultural practice,

write about a relevant United Nations Day in your local occupational therapy newsletter making networking interests and contact details clear,